The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Wiring Diagram for 1953 3600

I have a 53 3600 that won't start. The PO rewired pretty much the whole thing but I get no spark. The starter cranks regardless of what position the key is in. The ignition has 3 wires going to the same lug and one wire to another lug. (almost like its hot wired.) I could not seem to get spark at the plugs when I grounded to the body. (there is so much rust I may not have grounded at all.) The coil is 8 volt all other components are 6v. The coil was full of crud where the wire goes to the distributer. Cleaned that and noticed that the coil looked new but very beat up. (like he installed it with a hammer)

I would rather scrap rust than have electrical problems. Can anyone help?

Points or condenser!!!!

could it be that simple

No luck. I cleaned and adjusted the points They were not opening at all. She scranks fine but no spark at the points. Electrical problems are my Achilles Heal. What would the logical progression be form here. Replace points and condensor? Coil? voltage regulator? the wiring is a nightmare on this truck. Could a short somewhere else be causing this? I can get a tester and start looking but i don't know where to start. Any suggestions???

i'd replace that coil with the correct one. then try totally bypassing the ignition switch by running a wire from the + terminal of the battery to the coil (+) & see whaat happens. btw the starter should turn when the key is in the "off" position, it just won't start from there.
robert

Ok I ran a wire to the + coil and no spark. I replaced the coil, condensor and points. No spark (even with the hot wire to the coil). I cleaned the dist ground post that connects the coil negative to the condenser and points.
No spark. This could be as simple at a bad wire somewhere. Is there a wire that supplies the backing plate on the distributor? How do I check that. What should I check next??

Does anyone know what the gap for these point should be. I have no spec and have not set points in 20 years.

Funny the kid at Auto Zone had no idea what I was asking for. "You want a set of what???"
I had to convice him he was lucky never to have had to deal with them.

Breaker contact; New .018-.024 Old .015-.022 , Thats for a 216. For a 235 it's .016- .021 Old .013-.018. I just changed mine now It won" start! PS Chev has a resteriation package for free, just need the year, and vin # EVERY THING you want to know about 53 chevy trucks is in it. I have a 53 3600 also just finished but now I can't start it! Call Chevy and ask for the package 1 800 222 1020 Good Luck, Paul

Thanks for the specs Paul. I will call. I was able to gap the points correctly and she fired up nicely. I ran her out and into my garage to check basic tranny and engine function. I am now in process of disassembly. Good luck with your truck too!

Hey Paul, I called Chevy and ordered the restoration package. I gave them my VID and will get the package soon. They asked it the truck was "C series". I was not sure. Is it? Thanks again for the tip.. Rich